The County Board felt this was a good project, and we were able to donate this property under a Minnesota statute that allows tax-forfeited land to be donated if it will be used for recreation, said Chairman of the Itasca County Board of Commissioners Tom Saxhaug. Mount Itasca has always done a great job of maintaining property for recreation. The County Board is happy to make this land available for recreational Nordic skiing and a biathlon course.

When completed, the Mount Itasca site will be one of three Centers of Excellence in the United States, as endorsed by the United States Biathlon Association (USBA). Plans for the million-dollar project include 2.5 kilometers of new competition trails, additional recreational trails, a 27-point biathlon shooting range, snowmaking, facility upgrades and a European-style biathlon and Nordic spectator-friendly stadium. The course and range will meet international standards to host all biathlon and Nordic skiing events.

Last fall, logging for the portion of the trail system on land already owned by the City of Coleraine got underway, and earthwork will commence this spring. In June, internationally renowned biathlon and Nordic skiing coach Vladimir Cervenka will join the center to run biathlon and Nordic training programs. The Mount Itasca Biathlon Center project has received nearly $150,000 of cash and in-kind donations and services from Mount Itasca Biathlon Association, Minnesota Biathlon, USBA, Itasca County, the City of Coleraine and other donors.

The Mount Itasca Biathlon Center will be a boon to Coleraine and the surrounding area, said Coleraine Mayor Pete Axford. The City of Coleraine has wanted to protect the property adjoining Mount Itasca to preserve the quality of the public ski area, so the state law allowing this kind of donation for recreational purposes presented a great opportunity. A lot of people, organizations and government entities have been working together cooperatively to make this project happen.

The Mount Itasca Biathlon Center will be a year-round competition, training and recreational facility. The center is expected to generate $1.5 million annually in tourism and other revenue for the area. Strategic partners in the venture include Mount Itasca Biathlon Association, Minnesota Biathlon, USBA, the Minnesota Shooting Sports Education Center, Itasca Ski and Outing Club, the Greenway Joint Recreation Board and the City of Coleraine.